The attack happened late night on Thursday
Sodiq Rabiu
BENUE, Nigeria ‐ At least 30 persons were reportedly killed in a late night attack by terrorists locally dubbed as bandits, supported by armed herdsmen, on Ayati community in Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
The armed assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 11:30pm on Thursday and killed most of the victims in their homes while some of those that managed to escape were given hot chase and murdered in the bush.
The local bandits belonging to the Ayongu-led gang teamed up with armed herdsmen in the attack that lasted about an hour, a source told local news outlet, Vanguard.
A former governorship aspirant from the area, Mr. Shima Ayati, who confirmed the incident said: “We were told that some bandits received money from herdsmen and showed them land belonging to the people in two Council Wards for grazing.
“And as they commenced grazing crisis ensued between the herdsmen and the farmers who cried out to the government.
“And the government dispatched the state security outfit who came and chased the herdsmen away and burnt their tents which got them angry.
“They claimed that the bandits sold the land to them and they went and met the bandits. So the herdsmen and bandits went to the village and carried out a massacre.
“As of this morning over 30 corpses were gathered and they are still searching.
“After burning and scattering the tents of the herdsmen the security outfit left; instead of sleeping there to guard the village.”
The police spokeswoman in the state, SP Catherine Anene also said: “I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for briefing from officers on ground please.”
– Insecurity and violence in Nigeria –
For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Since the start of 2024 civilians have faced intensified violence across Nigeria, and near-daily attacks by armed groups resulting in kidnappings and other abuses against civilians.
Armed groups and gangs, including so-called “bandits,” have – for many years – perpetrated widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, kidnapping, organized cattle-rustling and plunder. Armed herdsmen are also destroying vast swaths of farmland, prompting many farmers to abandon their land out of fear of attack.